Agriculture and Food
B.C. families who use food banks, charities and school lunch programs will now have further access to fresh, healthy, and local food that has been donated by their neighbours in the B.C. agrifood sector.
Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick provided details on the new 2016 Farmers’ Food Donation Tax Credit today at the Greater Vancouver Food Bank’s warehouse with representatives from Food Banks BC and BCfresh, a provider of locally-grown vegetables throughout the province.
- The Farmers’ Food Donation Tax credit is available to individuals and corporations that carry on the business of farming and donate a qualifying agricultural product to a registered charity.
- The agricultural product may include meat products, eggs or dairy products, fish, seafood, fruits, vegetables, grains, pulses, herbs, honey, maple syrup, mushrooms, nuts or other produce that has been grown, raised or harvested on a farm in B.C.
- The credit is worth 25% of the fair market value of the qualifying agricultural product and must be claimed in the same year that a charitable donation tax credit or deduction is claimed for the donation.
- The credit is available for the 2016, 2017 and 2018 tax years, after which the credit will be reviewed.
The introduction of the Farmers’ Food Donation Tax Credit completes a Minister’s mandate letter commitment and an action item in the B.C. Agrifood and Seafood Strategic Growth Plan.
The Farmers’ Food Donation Tax Credit was introduced with Budget 2016, the B.C. government’s fourth-consecutive balanced budget. Balanced Budget 2016 invests $1.6 billion in new and increased spending over three years on core services, in addition to annual 3% increases to the Ministry of Health budget, almost $500 million of which is funded by lower interest costs from paying down operating debt.
(flickr.com) Quotes:
B.C. Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick –
“The B.C. agrifood industry has grown to more than $12.3 billion in annual revenues and I know the British Columbians working in this sector are generous and always looking at ways to give back to their communities. The Farmers’ Food Donation Tax Credit connects the sector with local registered charities and as a result, we all benefit.”
Food Banks BC Executive Director Laura Lansink –
“Food Banks BC is the official provincial association for 98 B.C. food banks and we are delighted to learn about the creation of the Farmer’s Food Donation Tax Credit. Every parent wants the most nutritious foods possible for their family and they will now have new sources of these important healthy foods including fruits, vegetables, dairy, eggs and protein.”
Greater Vancouver Food Bank CEO Aart Schuurman Hess –
“Over the last year, the Greater Vancouver Food Bank purchased almost 700,000 pounds of fresh produce to distribute to our members, so we applaud the Farmers’ Food Donation Tax Credit which we hope will go a long way in encouraging the donation of nutritious, fresh, local produce.”
BCfresh Vegetables president and CEO Murray Driediger –
“We are thankful to the B.C. government in fulfilling this important promise. This tax credit will support the over 60 BCfresh farm families that already donate generously to their local food banks. We encourage everyone to incorporate locally grown potatoes and veggies into every meal through the #HalfYourPlate campaign and we appreciate the B.C. government’s support in making this strong commitment to B.C. growers.”
BC Greenhouse Growers’ Association Peter Cummings –
“BC Greenhouse Growers appreciate the new Farmers’ Food Donation Tax Credit, this gives farmers recognition and a further incentive to distribute their produce during periods of overabundance in a socially responsible way.”
Quick Facts:
- British Columbia has one of the most diverse agrifood industries in Canada, producing more than 200 agriculture commodities and 100 seafood species.
- B.C. farms provide valuable food supply security producing about 1.2 million tonnes of crops and meats a year as well as about 700 million litres of milk and more than 800 million eggs.
Learn More:
For further information on the Farmers’ Food Donation Tax Credit: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/taxes/income-taxes/personal/credits/farmers-food-donation
Food Banks BC: http://www.foodbanksbc.com/
Greater Vancouver Food Bank: https://www.foodbank.bc.ca/
BC Fresh Vegetables: http://www.bcfresh.ca
BC Greenhouse Growers’ Association: http://bcgreenhouse.ca/
